Problems with MTF adaptor at DVinfo.net

Chuck Fishbein · November 9th, 2011, 07:38 PM

Curious if anyone else has had issue with their MTF F3 Nikon lens adaptors?

I was using the MTF with a Nikon 80-200 2.8 and now the lens cannot be removed. As if the release pin is not making contact inside the adaptor. This is leaving me both without an adaptor and without the use of the lens until I can find a safe method to separate them. I've sent an email off to Mike Tapa, but, I know from experience that that might take a while.

Has anyone had this problem and found a method to release it?

If there is no simple solution, of course, I will take it into a repair shop and have it worked on, but, it does leave me with a mild fear that this can easily happen again and totally kill a shoot. In this case, I was fortunate enough to have a (much slower) PL zoom backup and the client said little more than "Oh you're bringing out the big guns."

I will consider adaptor-redundancy in the future.

Thierry Humeau · November 9th, 2011, 08:15 PM

Yes, happened to me too. That pin is threaded and needs to be tight in the adaptor. If it get loose, it sticks out too much and pressing the release button won't push it far enough in the adaptor to free the lens. I dont' recall how I was able to free the lens but I think the pin was just bigining to loosen so, I was able to force it a bit and remove the lens. That is when I relize the pin had come loose. I tighten it and put a bit of epoxy glue to make sure this would not happen again. Ask Dennis, I think the same happened to him.

Take care.

Chuck Fishbein · November 10th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Thanks Thierry,
Just spoke with Dennis and if his suggestion works I will post it.

Chuck Fishbein · November 10th, 2011, 09:55 AM

Dennis nailed it.

Using a dental pick, I was able to pull down the pin just enough to rotate the lens off. Then, as you suggested, I tightened the pin/thread and applied a tiny bit of epoxy. Working fine.

So, yet another tool that goes in the kit. Dental pick... check!

Much Thanks
Chuck

Dennis Dillon · November 11th, 2011, 09:37 AM

Chuck,
Glad it worked. It would be wise for all MTF owners to remove the mounting screws and apply a small amount of epoxy. I chose "Thread Locker Blue", which is a medium adhesive that can be overcome with a little extra effort.
When doing this please be careful not to loose the tiny spring that is enclosed in the lens release shaft. Also be careful not to loose any screws like I did. Mike Tapa MTF was very responsive and sent me out replacement springs and screws.

Steve Cahill · November 21st, 2011, 07:40 AM

Disassembly photo showing thread on the pin

Alister Chapman · November 21st, 2011, 03:52 PM

Sorry.. post deleted, superfluous information!

Chuck Fishbein · November 22nd, 2011, 11:44 AM

Thanks for that, Steve. I hope that MTF owners will take note.

Ron Wilk · November 22nd, 2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Fishbein

Curious if anyone else has had issue with their MTF F3 Nikon lens adaptors?

I was using the MTF with a Nikon 80-200 2.8 and now the lens cannot be removed. As if the release pin is not making contact inside the adaptor. This is leaving me both without an adaptor and without the use of the lens until I can find a safe method to separate them. I've sent an email off to Mike Tapa, but, I know from experience that that might take a while.

Has anyone had this problem and found a method to release it?

If there is no simple solution, of course, I will take it into a repair shop and have it worked on, but, it does leave me with a mild fear that this can easily happen again and totally kill a shoot. In this case, I was fortunate enough to have a (much slower) PL zoom backup and the client said little more than "Oh you're bringing out the big guns."

I will consider adaptor-redundancy in the future.

Yes., had similar problem with same lens. But rather than risk another occurrance I switched to a ProLock ... problem solved.

November 9th, 2011, 07:38 PM	#1
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Problems with MTF adaptor Curious if anyone else has had issue with their MTF F3 Nikon lens adaptors? I was using the MTF with a Nikon 80-200 2.8 and now the lens cannot be removed. As if the release pin is not making contact inside the adaptor. This is leaving me both without an adaptor and without the use of the lens until I can find a safe method to separate them. I've sent an email off to Mike Tapa, but, I know from experience that that might take a while. Has anyone had this problem and found a method to release it? If there is no simple solution, of course, I will take it into a repair shop and have it worked on, but, it does leave me with a mild fear that this can easily happen again and totally kill a shoot. In this case, I was fortunate enough to have a (much slower) PL zoom backup and the client said little more than "Oh you're bringing out the big guns." I will consider adaptor-redundancy in the future.

November 9th, 2011, 08:15 PM	#2
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Yes, happened to me too. That pin is threaded and needs to be tight in the adaptor. If it get loose, it sticks out too much and pressing the release button won't push it far enough in the adaptor to free the lens. I dont' recall how I was able to free the lens but I think the pin was just bigining to loosen so, I was able to force it a bit and remove the lens. That is when I relize the pin had come loose. I tighten it and put a bit of epoxy glue to make sure this would not happen again. Ask Dennis, I think the same happened to him. Take care. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

November 10th, 2011, 09:21 AM	#3
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Thanks Thierry, Just spoke with Dennis and if his suggestion works I will post it.

November 10th, 2011, 09:55 AM	#4
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Dennis nailed it. Using a dental pick, I was able to pull down the pin just enough to rotate the lens off. Then, as you suggested, I tightened the pin/thread and applied a tiny bit of epoxy. Working fine. So, yet another tool that goes in the kit. Dental pick... check! Much Thanks Chuck

November 11th, 2011, 09:37 AM	#5
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Chuck, Glad it worked. It would be wise for all MTF owners to remove the mounting screws and apply a small amount of epoxy. I chose "Thread Locker Blue", which is a medium adhesive that can be overcome with a little extra effort. When doing this please be careful not to loose the tiny spring that is enclosed in the lens release shaft. Also be careful not to loose any screws like I did. Mike Tapa MTF was very responsive and sent me out replacement springs and screws.

November 21st, 2011, 07:40 AM	#6
Steve Cahill Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 321	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Disassembly photo showing thread on the pin Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Steve

November 21st, 2011, 03:52 PM	#7
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Sorry.. post deleted, superfluous information! __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 22nd, 2011, 11:44 AM	#8
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: Problems with MTF adaptor Thanks for that, Steve. I hope that MTF owners will take note.